Trailblazing tap dancer Ayodele Casel tells her story through the beat of her feet

Celina Colby

Celina Colby is an arts and travel reporter with a fondness for Russian novels.... VIEW BIO

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Tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel is taking to the American Repertory Theater stage to explore the history of the medium, one rat-tat-tat at a time. In the world premiere of “Diary of a Tap Dancer,” Casel probes her own biography and the often-overlooked histories of women tap dancers from years past.

“I was called to write ‘Diary of a Tap Dancer’ to amplify our voices, family stories and artistic lineages and to reflect the multitude of languages that we use to uplift and honor our cultural histories,” says Casel.

Born in The Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico, Casel’s choreographic work centers culture, selfhood and improvisation. Her pieces play on the African American roots of tap, a side of the style not often acknowledged. After years of working on productions like “Chasing Magic” and “Funny Girl,” Casel is now using her skills, through dance, song and narration, to tell her own story.

Members of the cast and company at the first rehearsal of A.R.T.’s world-premiere production of Diary of a Tap Dancer. PHOTO: NILE SCOTT STUDIOS

Casel’s longtime collaborator Torya Beard directs the show. Naomi Funaki, Afra Hines, Quynn L. Johnson, Funmi Sofola, Liberty Styles, Annaliese Wilbur and Ki’Leigh Williams join Casel on stage for the performance.

For Williams, Casel represents an important part of her artistic history. Casel taught at a youth dance program Williams attended for most of her young life and the experience had a profound impact on Williams.

“I had never seen anyone leading up to that moment in my life that looked like me tap dancing,” says Williams. “It opened up my eyes to seeing the vast diversity of dancers. She was also the first instructor, mentor, human that I had seen who was doing it at a level that I didn’t even think was possible.”

More than 15 years later, the two dancers will be reunited on stage.

Casel has been a big name in a male-dominated industry for years. “Diary of a Tap Dancer” explores what that experience has been like and how it encouraged Casel to research the women tappers who came before her.

“Diary of a Tap Dancer” premieres at the American Repertory Theater Dec. 12 to Jan. 4. Standard tickets start at $35 with discounts available for students, seniors, SNAP/EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare cardholders and theatergoers under 25 years old.

Williams says the challenges Casel has faced continue to be relevant.

“There’s a driving force now with the show about the relevancy of female empowerment, feminism, sexism, racial injustice, things that are so deeply rooted within generations,” says Williams. “I’m really hopeful that when people watch it, that they can take away an awakening. How a story like this could change people’s lives.”